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Fresh Aire 8 | 
 enlarge | Artist: Mannheim Steamroller
Label: American Gramaphone
Category: Music
Buy New: $17.98
Rating:  27 reviews
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 888
UPC: 012805088824
EAN: 0012805088824
ASIN: B00004WFMK
Release Date: August 22, 2000
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 10 to 14 days
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| Tracks:
| • | Main Titles | | • | Greek Suite: Day Party | | • | Greek Suite: Interlude 8 | | • | Greek Suite: Night Party | | • | Greek Suite: Goddesses In The Forest | | • | The Big Bang (Infinity in Cosmology) | | • | Leonardo (The Infinite Thinker) | | • | Fractals (Infinity in Mathematics) | | • | Waterfall (Infinity in Art) | | • | The Circle of Love (Infinity in the Wedding Band) | | • | The Steamroller (Infinity in Music) | | • | The Heat and the Feather (Infinity in the Egyptian Afterlife) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The eighth installment in the Chip Davis-Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire series is actually a soundtrack for a video and DVD production that Davis (who's the composer, arranger, CEO, and Svengali behind all things Steamroller) developed concurrently with the music. Independent of the video, the music appears supplemental to the visuals because the 12 selections--the first track is carved up into a five-part "suite"--often struggle to deliver much lyricism or linear flow, making the audio-only experience a marginally interesting event, even for Mannheim loyalists. Always thematic affairs, the eighth Fresh Aire (involving the London Symphony) addresses infinity. Knock an 8 on its side and it becomes the symbol for infinity; it can also be turned into a stylish logo for the disc's commemorative T-shirt.Davis takes a musical stab at infinite topics such as philosophy, big bang theory, math, art, etc. For the topic of music, Davis creates (and this is not a joke) an ode to "Steamy," a personified steamroller, and the track opens with an electronic hammer rhythmically whacking a synthesized rail. A bouncy saxophone line eventually follows and the liner notes tell us Steamy eventually is dancing with "Dreamy." Hmmm.... Davis aims for clean, wholesome, Disneyesque fun in his works, and that's commendable. Yet clean and wholesome can also be compelling and inventive. On its own, other than some exceptions such as the Middle Eastern-flavored "Night Party" in the opening suite, this music is neither. --Terry Wood
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
 Not my first Steamroller April 5, 2007
Lawrence M. Russo II (NJ USA)
Way back about 10 years ago a friend of mine suggested Fresh Aire IV and V to me - I've been hooked ever since and could not imagine them getting better - but in INFINITY - they have broke the laws of time and space. You will be transported to another dimesion - excellent - surpurb - fantastic - wonderful - magical
 hard to say- January 10, 2007
Susan K. Mcdonough
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
He wanted this cd to listen in the player we HAD ordered from Amazon, but waited TWO full months and no radio, so cancelled my order. Am not happy with Amazon.
An honest review. October 21, 2004
James Wilson (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Fresh Aire 8 was the first non-holiday, Mannheim Steamroller CD I purchased and at the time I thought the criticism against it was unfair. But after purchasing and listening to the rest of the Fresh Aire series, I understand where the long time fans of Chip's music are coming from.
Simply put Fresh 8 has a great concept (Infinity) but just is not executed up to the standards set by the prior 7 Fresh Aire albums. A few tracks stand out, 'Leonardo (The Infinite Thinker)' and 'Circle of Love (Infinity in the Wedding Band)' are exceptional tracks that in themselves validate the purchase of this album. Unfortunately the remaining tracks slide into mediocrity and keep this effort from being great.
Anyone looking to complete the Fresh Aire series should proceed without hesitation, but anyone looking to make the leap from Mannheim Holiday music to the Fresh Aire series should start elsewhere (I personally recommend Fresh Aire 7,5 & 2 as my favorites).
In conclusion, Fresh Aire 8 is good but doesn't stand up against the rest of the series.
 Fresh Aire 8- A triumpant return after 10 years! July 30, 2002
Ashurra (Kirkland, WA United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
If only it were. It seems that in the 10 years since the last Fresh Aire album Chip has forgotten to write good music. Take his releases since then: Impressions, which demonstrated one of the major faults in the last few years of the band (instead of Chip and his Band, Mannheim Steamroller became Chip and his Toys sometime during the late 80's); Christmans in the Aire which tried (yet again) to reclaim the glory (and sales) of his first Christmans release with the same formula and the opposite (read lack of) artistic direction; and then Christmas Live, which sounds EXACTLY the same as the studio tracks except with an audience clap track (and I went and saw them live...it was about as adult as Disney on Ice.) Those were all fairly poor releases, but Fresh Aire 8 tops em all. In here are strange midi-arrangements hacked with seemingly little purpose, and tired melodies that don't seem to have any depth. I think the problem is that this was supposed to accompany a DVD that showed off the research behind Chip's musings about "infinity" (the albums theme), and in his old age he's forgetten how to write music thats very memorable. But if the albums songs were just forgettable, that would be one thing; the crime here is that even while you're listening to them you aren't enjoying the music. Definately not worth your time, even if you had "infinite."
 Letdown Steamroller Fan June 29, 2002
rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Just heard MS in concert at Interlochen. The first half was comprised of cuts from previous Fresh Aire's. It was great and one could tell the huge crowd grooved to it.Then, this new release of Infinity. The DVD was played, and it was not well received. Philosophy and math and love and on and on and on and on, sideways done eights. Too much, and not the Steamroller stuff one is used to nor what was heard in the first concert half. Many of the audience left early. My impression of this new effort. Going in new direction that I can't go with. I will not buy this, nor recommend it. Davis expressed that over 1,000 people involved in its production and over $5 million dollars. My input is that likely $450 million was wasted.
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